Defenseman Clayton Stoner has reached a four-year deal worth $13 million from the Anaheim Ducks. A

"I have always loved everything about Minnesota, from the people, to the hockey to the way of life," Stoner said. "I will my teammates, the friends I have met here and always look back at the memories with a smile."

Ducks are getting a physical defenseman who is cashing in on a quality postseason. In 227 career games, the 2004 third-rounder scored 31 points and compiled 296 penalty minutes.

At that term and salary, this is why the Wild let him move on and why he decided to move on. Stoner said talks with the Wild went nowhere. The Wild will look to replace Stoner now, maybe with Willie Mitchell.

As for Thomas Vanek, his agents say it's down to two teams. One is the Wild. Jarome Iginla's camp has gone on radio silent, as have the Wild's front office.

Center Paul Stastny has signed with St. Louis at 4 x 7. Ryan Miller to Vancouver.

Stay tuned.

Michael Russo has covered the National Hockey League since 1995. He has covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005, after 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. He uses “Russo’s Rants” to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN (100.3 FM) radio and seen weekly on Fox Sports North.